Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • September 2012
  • Supplement
  • HBS Case Collection

Intraoperative Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer (B)

By: Willy Shih
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:4
ShareBar

Abstract

The intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) business at Carl Zeiss Meditec had struggled with growth since the time of the (A) case. Though the unit had grown revenues in excess of 50% and had exceeded its EBIT target, it faced several key strategic choices. Should it continue to specialize in the breast cancer segment, or should it focus more on surgery with radiotherapy as one technical solution. Should it continue its focus on more mature markets, or should it be making focused investments in emerging markets? The (A) case poses IORT as a disruptive technology, and the (B) case offers the instructor an opportunity to gauge the progress the protagonist has made in applying that framework.

Keywords

Radiotherapy; Breast Cancer; Brachytherapy; Therapeutic Radiation; Oncology; Oncology Treatment Systems; Elekta AB; Varian Medical Systems; Xoft; Electronic Brachytherapy; Intraoperative Radiotherapy; Disruptive Innovation; Health Care and Treatment; Entrepreneurship; Technological Innovation; Growth and Development Strategy; Health Industry; Germany

Citation

Shih, Willy. "Intraoperative Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer (B)." Harvard Business School Supplement 613-040, September 2012.
  • Purchase

About The Author

Willy C. Shih

Technology and Operations Management
→More Publications

More from the Author

    • January 2025
    • Faculty Research

    Knowledge Transfer: Toyota, NUMMI, and GM

    By: Willy Shih
    • January 2025 (Revised February 2025)
    • Faculty Research

    Vanguard Retail Operations

    By: Antonio Moreno, Willy C. Shih and Margaret Underwood
    • January 2025 (Revised January 2025)
    • Faculty Research

    U.S. Steel: Proposed Acquisition by Nippon Steel

    By: Willy C. Shih
More from the Author
  • Knowledge Transfer: Toyota, NUMMI, and GM By: Willy Shih
  • Vanguard Retail Operations By: Antonio Moreno, Willy C. Shih and Margaret Underwood
  • U.S. Steel: Proposed Acquisition by Nippon Steel By: Willy C. Shih
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Accessibility
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College.